VIDEO: Why some Iranians celebrated Ebrahim Raisi’s death in helicopter crash
Written By Srishti Sisodia
Published: May 21, 2024, 05:21 IST | Updated: May 21, 2024, 05:21 IST
Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran
Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday (May 19) but his death sparked different kinds of reactions across Iran. The helicopter was also carrying foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew. All of them died.
The helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border while returning after the inauguration of dam at the common border with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Raisi's death was confirmed Monday morning.
From overnight, people in the Islamic Republic prayed for his safe return, but opponents of the regime have been celebrating with fireworks.
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Iranian opposition members in Germany celebrated outside the Berlin embassy following the death of Raisi.
The group was holding placards showing Raisi’s crossed-out face and signs calling him a blood judge.
They were referring to Raisi's alleged role in the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran.
Iranian opposition members in Germany celebrated outside the Berlin embassy following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi https://t.co/GIZC3h2WYm pic.twitter.com/ZvffaQVZ8v
Activists such as Masih Alinejad, who is an Iranian-American author and women's rights campaigner, seemed happy about Raisi's death in posts on social media platforms. Alinejad lives in New York City.
Videos and images on social media showed opponents of Iran's authoritarian regime setting off fireworks in multiple locations.
Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.
Fireworks are being set off in Iran as security forces are ramping up their presence in Tehran to tamp down on celebrations. pic.twitter.com/eCe4GxeMth
Celebrations started in Iran..pic.twitter.com/VlPnZF8uel
BREAKING:
The Islamic regime in Iran is starting to bring out forces onto the streets
Riot police spotted in Tehran &, in this video, Rasht
Some believe they will be used to quell celebrations if President Raisi’s death will be announced in the morning pic.twitter.com/PomM3dVtd1
In one of the videos, a female narrator said that the celebrations and fireworks happened in southern Tehran. In another video, a male narrator said that fireworks were in the city of Saqqez in northwestern Iran's Kurdistan province.
A video shared on social media shows Afsaneh Yousefi, whose son was executed alongside three other prisoners in January for alleged links to Israel, dancing in celebration after Raisi's death.
Some posts claimed that there were no fireworks and celebrations in Iran and some posts are fakes from an unrelated event.
Watch: A quick look into Ebrahim Raisi's life
A large crowd of mourners gathered in the Iranian city of Tabriz. Some people were seen crying, while others held up posters with images of Raisi and the FM. The dead from the crash also included the governor of East Azerbaijan Province and a senior imam from Tabriz city.
Khamenei announced five days of public mourning and confirmed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim head of the country's executive branch.
Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisi's successor.
(With inputs from agencies)